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I was going through the posts on inequalities and found that many good concepts are explained here, but still people do have trouble solving the question using these concept.In these posts, there were quadratic equations, curves, graphs and other mathematical stuff. With this post, I am trying to provide a simple method to solve such questions quickly. I won't be writing the concepts behind it.Remember this is the same OLD concept, it's just presented differently.

Case 1: Multiplication

for example: \((x-1)(x-2)(x-3)(x-7) \leq 0\)

To check the intervals in which this inequality holds true, we need to pick only one value from the number line.Lets say x = 10, then (9)(8)(7)(3) > 0, in every alternate interval the sign would be + for the above expression

Following things to be kept in mind while using above method:1. Cofficient of x should be positive: for ex - \((x-a)(b-x)>0\), can be written as \((x-a)(x-b)<0\)2. Even powers: for ex - \((x-9)^2(x+3) \geq 0\), \((x-9)^2\) is always greater than 0, so, it should be only considered to check the equality (=0)3. Odd powers: \((x-a)^3(x-b)^5>0\), will be same as \((x-a)(x-b)>0\)4. Cancelling the common terms:

for ex - \(\frac {(x^2+x-6)(x-11)}{(x+3)} >0\), it can be simplified as (x-2)(x-11)>0or, ---(+)-----2---(-)-------------11----(+)------thus \(x <2\) or \(x>11\), but since at x = -3 (in the original expression), we get undefined form, so, \(x

\neq -3\)

A question for you:For what values of x, does the following inequality holds true?\((x-a)(x-b)...(x-n)...(x-z) \geq 0\), where {a, b, c,...} are integers.

Edit: The 'x' before the inequality caused the confusion. I checked and that 'x' doe not exist.

What about '0' and '-4', '-5' '-6'...?0<5, -4<5 ...

macjas wrote:

This one is a really useful trick cyberjadugar. Kudos to you and gurpreetsingh.

Example for practice from OG13 PS229:

How many of the integers that satisfy the inequality \(\frac{{(x+2)(x+3)}}{{x-2}}x\geq{0}\) are less than 5?

A 1B 2C 3D 4E 5

OldFritz wrote:

-3,-2,3,4

Therefore, there are 4 integers less than 5 that satisfy the inequality.

Cheers,Der alte Fritz.

Yes, the extra 'x' is a typo. Of course, none of the options match if that x was still present in the inequality. _________________

Kudos is the currency of appreciation.

You can have anything you want if you want it badly enough. You can be anything you want to be and do anything you set out to accomplish, if you hold to that desire with the singleness of purpose. ~William Adams

Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close to success they were when they gave up. ~Thomas A. Edison

2. Even powers: for ex - \((x-9)^2(x+3) \geq 0\), \((x-9)^2\) is always greater than 0, so, it should be only considered to check the equality (=0)3. Odd powers: \((x-a)^3(x-b)^5>0\), will be same as \((x-a)(x-b)>0\)

Hello cyberjadugar,

Could you illustrate (2) and (3) with examples. Though (3) is kind of clear, I do not understand what exactly you mean in (2). _________________

Kudos is the currency of appreciation.

You can have anything you want if you want it badly enough. You can be anything you want to be and do anything you set out to accomplish, if you hold to that desire with the singleness of purpose. ~William Adams

Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close to success they were when they gave up. ~Thomas A. Edison

2. Even powers: for ex - \((x-9)^2(x+3) \geq 0\), \((x-9)^2\) is always greater than 0, so, it should be only considered to check the equality (=0)3. Odd powers: \((x-a)^3(x-b)^5>0\), will be same as \((x-a)(x-b)>0\)

Hello cyberjadugar,

Could you illustrate (2) and (3) with examples. Though (3) is kind of clear, I do not understand what exactly you mean in (2).

2. Even powers: for ex - \((x-9)^2(x+3) \geq 0\), \((x-9)^2\) is always greater than 0, so, it should be only considered to check the equality (=0)3. Odd powers: \((x-a)^3(x-b)^5>0\), will be same as \((x-a)(x-b)>0\)

Hello cyberjadugar,

Could you illustrate (2) and (3) with examples. Though (3) is kind of clear, I do not understand what exactly you mean in (2).

Could some one please explain point 2 ??

Hi,

Sorry for the late reply.

For even powers, such as \((x-9)^2\), if you check for various values of x,for example,\(x = 1, (x-9)^2 = 64(>0)\)\(x=-1, (x-9)^2 = 100(>0)\)\(x =10, (x-9)^2=1(>0)\)but for \(x = 9, (x-9)^2=0\)so, for every value of x, the even powers will always be greater or equal to 0, i.e. the sign of the expression doesn't change from positive to negative.

I was going through the posts on inequalities and found that many good concepts are explained here, but still people do have trouble solving the question using these concept.In these posts, there were quadratic equations, curves, graphs and other mathematical stuff. With this post, I am trying to provide a simple method to solve such questions quickly. I won't be writing the concepts behind it.Remember this is the same OLD concept, it's just presented differently.

Case 1: Multiplication

for example: \((x-1)(x-2)(x-3)(x-7) \leq 0\)

To check the intervals in which this inequality holds true, we need to pick only one value from the number line.Lets say x = 10, then (9)(8)(7)(3) > 0, in every alternate interval the sign would be + for the above expression

Following things to be kept in mind while using above method:1. Cofficient of x should be positive: for ex - \((x-a)(b-x)>0\), can be written as \((x-a)(x-b)<0\)2. Even powers: for ex - \((x-9)^2(x+3) \geq 0\), \((x-9)^2\) is always greater than 0, so, it should be only considered to check the equality (=0)3. Odd powers: \((x-a)^3(x-b)^5>0\), will be same as \((x-a)(x-b)>0\)4. Cancelling the common terms:

for ex - \(\frac {(x^2+x-6)(x-11)}{(x+3)} >0\), it can be simplified as (x-2)(x-11)>0or, ---(+)-----2---(-)-------------11----(+)------thus \(x <2\) or \(x>11\), but since at x = -3 (in the original expression), we get undefined form, so, \(x

\neq -3\)

A question for you:For what values of x, does the following inequality holds true?\((x-a)(x-b)...(x-n)...(x-z) \geq 0\), where {a, b, c,...} are integers.

PS: I hope you find this post useful, please provide feedback to improve the quality of the post.

Thanks,

Hi,

I have question with the below one,

[list]for ex - \(\frac {(x^2+x-6)(x-11)}{(x+3)} >0\), it can be simplified as (x-2)(x-11)>0or, ---(+)-----2---(-)-------------11----(+)------thus \(x <2\) or \(x>11\), but since at x = -3 (in the original expression), we get undefined form, so, [m]x

using the plot of + ,- , how to identify x<2 or x>2 . I have a impression like if > is the used then it should be always x>2 & x>11 but the answer u have mentioned again confused me. Please help

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email. _________________